Image forming apparatus having first and second frames and a connecting member coupled thereto for facilitating multiple stages of movement

ABSTRACT

An image recording apparatus includes an image forming section, a first frame for supporting the imager forming section, a second frame for supporting the first frame loosely, and a supporting section disposed on an apparatus body for supporting the second frame in a rotatable manner, wherein the first frame moves in association with a rotation of the second frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/360,282, filed Feb. 23, 2006, currently pending, which was publishedin the English language on Aug. 31, 2006, under U.S. Publication No.2006-0193011 A1 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

To this end, the image recording apparatus according to the presentinvention includes an image forming section, a first frame forsupporting the image forming section, a second frame for supporting thefirst frame loosely and a supporting section disposed on an apparatusbody for supporting the second frame in a rotatable manner.

According to the invention, the first frame moves in association withthe rotation of the second frame.

Here, since the first frame can be moved upward in association with therotation of the second frame, a task for recovering the paper jammingcondition can be simplified.

In the image recording apparatuses such as electrophotographic printers,copying machines, facsimile machines and MFP, more specifically, forexample in a color printer, a plural image forming sections are disposedside by side and each image forming section forms a toner image of anindividual color such as black, yellow magenta and cyan. Each tonerimage formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum in each image formingsection is transferred sequentially onto a print medium fed by atransfer belt equipped as consumables, resulting in a formation of acolor toner image. Then, the print medium on which the color toner imagewas formed is fed to a fusing device in order for the toner image to befused on the print medium, resulting in appearing the color image.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating main sections of conventionalprinters.

In FIG. 2, 11 denotes an apparatus body including side plates 14 and 15placed at a front side and a rear side of the printer respectively in amanner facing to each other. 16 denotes an image forming section placeddetachably to apparatus body 11. Image forming unit 16 includes frame18, image forming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C disposed detachably toframe 18 and in parallel with each other, and LED heads which are notshown but disposed next to each of image forming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12Mand 12C. Each of image forming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C has aphotosensitive drum, a charging roller, a developing roller, cleaningblade and the like.

Frame 18 includes frame 18 a of a square shape and a pair of handles 18b and 18 c so formed that the handles stand upright at two sides offrame 18 a, such that a user can set frame 18 to apparatus body 11 byholding handles 18 b and 18 c and can also remove the frame fromapparatus body 11.

17 denotes a transfer unit disposed detachably to apparatus body 11immediately below frame 18. Transfer unit 17 includes a driving rollerand a driven roller which are not shown, conveyer belt 20 stretched in afreely driving manner between the driving roller and the driven roller,and transfer rollers, not shown, disposed opposing to each of thephotosensitive drums within conveyer belt 20.

Here, when frame 18 and transfer unit 17 are set on apparatus body 11,each photosensitive drum and each transfer roller are press-fit to eachother through conveyer belt 20, and therefore, upon rotation of thephotosensitive drums and running of conveyer belt 20, a print mediumwhich is not shown here is conveyed by conveyer belt 20. During whichtime, toner images of individual colors formed by each of image formingsections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C are transferred onto the print medium bythe transfer roller piece by piece.

In the printer having the above stated construction, when paper-jammingoccurs while the print medium is conveyed along each of image formingsections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C, the user is required to open a cover ofthe printer, pick up frame 18 by holding handles 18 b and 18 c and movethe frame outside apparatus body 11 in order to remove the print mediumjammed in apparatus body 11 to thereby recover the paper-jammingcondition. See the Japanese Patent Laying-Open Publication No. 08-54817.

However, each of image forming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C accordingto the conventional printer is heavy in weight, such that there is atroublesome in recovering the paper-jamming condition since there is adifficulty in picking up frame 18 as well as an extra space is requiredoutside apparatus body 11 for temporarily placing frame 18.

In view of the problems described above, a purpose of the presentinvention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable ofsimplifying a task to recover paper-jamming condition, resolving theproblems of the conventional printer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

This invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangementsof parts, a preferred embodiment and method of which will be describedin detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and wherein in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first status of a movingmechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a main portion of theconventional printer;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a printer according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the first status of the movingmechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating the first status of the movingmechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a status of an image forming section according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a second status of the movingmechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the second status of themoving mechanism according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a relationship between the moving mechanism and theimage forming section according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating the second status of the movingmechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a third status of the movingmechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the third status of the movingmechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the first status of themoving mechanism according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the first status of the movingmechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view illustrating the first status of the movingmechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the second status of the movingmechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the second status of themoving mechanism according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating the second status of the movingmechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the third status of the movingmechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are side views illustrating opening and closingmovements of the moving mechanism according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C and 21D are side views illustrating opening andclosing movements of the moving mechanism according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is hereinafter explained into details by means ofembodiments, referring to drawing. Here, a color printer is exemplifiedamong the image recording apparatuses.

FIG. 3 is the schematic view of the printer according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, 11 denotes apparatus body 11 carrying image forming unit 46therein, and image forming unit 46 includes image forming sections 12Bk,12Y, 12M and 12C disposed side by side along a conveyer path forconveying the print medium as a medium, not shown, and LED heads 13serving as exposure devices each disposed adjacent to each of imageforming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C. Each of image forming sections12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C, having a photosensitive drum as an imagecarrier, a charging roller as a charging device, a developing roller asa developer carrier, a cleaning blade as a cleaning device and the like,forms a toner image as a developing image of the individual color.

Below image forming unit 46 is disposed transfer unit 17 for conveying aprint medium and for transferring the toner images of the individualcolors onto the print medium, and is formed with the conveyer pathbetween each of image forming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C andtransfer unit 17. Transfer unit 17 includes driving roller 19 a, drivenroller 19 b, conveyer belt 20 as a conveyer member stretched betweendriving roller 19 a and driven roller 19 b in a running-free manner andtransfer rollers 31 disposed opposing to each of the photosensitivedrums within conveyer belt 20.

Downstream of transfer unit 17 in a direction of conveying the printmedium is disposed fusing unit 26 for fusing the transferred tonerimages onto the print medium to form a color image.

Disposed are reverse unit 32 for reversing the print medium whenperforming a double-sided printing downstream of transfer unit 17 withinapparatus body 11, tray 33 as a first print media stacker for settingprint media downstream of reverse unit 32, manual paper feed tray 34 asa second print media stacker for feeding relatively small amount ofprint media on a right side surface of apparatus body 11, stacker 37 forstacking print media after color images having been formed thereonto ona left side surface of apparatus body 11, and stacker 35 for stackingprint media having been discharged.

To feed the print medium from tray 33, a signal instructing a printactivation is sent from a host computer in order to have feeding rollerR1 disposed in the vicinity of tray 33 feed the print medium stacked intray 33 sheet by sheet. Then, the fed print medium is sent to transferunit 17 by conveyer rollers R2, R3 and R4 and resist roller R5, absorbedby conveyer belt 20 of transfer unit 17 and conveyed according to therunning of conveyer belt 20.

The photosensitive drums disposed in image forming sections 12Bk, 12Y,12M and 12C contact conveyer belt 20, respectively. Accordingly, theprint medium to be absorbed and conveyed by conveyer belt 20 is conveyedwhile a surface of the print medium contacts each of the photosensitivedrums. At the time, each of the toner images of the individual colorsformed on each photosensitive drum is transferred onto the print mediumthrough each transfer roller 31.

The print medium, on which the color toner image is formed in such amanner that the toner images of the individual colors are superimposedone after another, is transferred to fusing unit 26 in which the tonerimages are fused to form the color image.

When the paper-jamming occurs while the print medium is conveyed alongeach of image forming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C, the user isrequired to open the cover of the printer, pick up image forming unit46, remove the jammed print medium remaining within apparatus body 11 torecover the paper-jamming condition. To recover the paper jammingcondition, the moving mechanism is employed, such that image formingunit 46 is disposed in a freely movable manner with regard to apparatusbody 11. The cover is disposed rotatably in a conveying direction of theprint medium.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first status of a movingmechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.4 is a side view illustrating the first status of the moving mechanismaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is aenlarged view illustrating the first status of the moving mechanismaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6illustrates a status of an image forming section according to the firstembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a side view illustratinga second status of the moving mechanism according to the firstembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective viewillustrating the second status of the moving mechanism according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 illustrates arelationship between the moving mechanism and the image forming sectionaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 isan enlarged view illustrating the second status of the moving mechanismaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is aside view illustrating a third status of the moving mechanism accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 12 is aperspective view of the third status of the moving mechanism accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, 11 denotes the apparatus body having side plates 14 and15 which are disposed opposing to each other in the front side and therear side of the printer, respectively. First retaining section m1 isformed with the upper end of side plate 14 and second retaining sectionm2 is formed with side plate 15 at the same height as first retainingsection m1, the height be lower than the upper end of side plate 14.

21 denotes a first frame of square shape disposed movably in an up anddown direction with regard to apparatus body 11. First frame 21 hasframe members 21 a and 21 b disposed in parallel with each other in sucha manner extending between side plates 14 and 15 and frame members 21 cand 21 d disposed in parallel with side plates 14, 15 in such a mannerextending between both ends of frame members 21 a and 21 b, in whichimage forming unit 46 is disposed detachably in a space enclosed byframe members 21 a, 21 b, 21 c and 21 d.

First frame 21 is formed so as to receive image forming unit 46, andtherefore frame members 21 c and 21 d include suspended portions 21 eand 21 f extending downwardly from the inner sides of side plates 14 and15, the suspended portions including, and are formed with four holes h1and h2 at predetermined positions of suspended portions 21 e and 21 ffrom the upper end of the side plates in order to set each of imageforming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C. Consequently, each of imageforming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C extends between frame members 21c and 21 d.

27 denotes the second frame of a channel shape disposed loosely withregard to apparatus body 11. Second frame 27 has frame members 27 a and17 b disposed in parallel to each other, and frame member 27 c disposedin parallel with side plate 14 and extending between the front ends ofside plates 14. At a center of frame member 27 c, handle 27 h is formedin a forwardly projecting manner in order to allow the user to holdsecond frame 27.

28 denotes a base plate as a base material section attached to the upperend of side plate 15. Base plate 28 is so formed that a plurality ofsupporting portions 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, 28 d and 28 e are cut to standupright and each of the supporting portions are formed with holes. 29denotes a shaft for supporting second frame 27 on base plate 28 loosely.Shaft 28 is disposed in such a manner in parallel with side plate 15 ata predetermined height, and extending to pass through holes ofsupporting sections 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, 28 d and 28 e so as to besupported by supporting sections 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, 28 d and 28 e in therotatable manner. Holes are formed in the vicinity of the rear ends offrame members 27 a and 27 b, through which shaft 29 extends. As such,second frame 27 is supported loosely with regard to apparatus body 11,with the holes of supporting sections 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, 28 d and 28 ebeing as centers of oscillation. The moving mechanism is composed offirst frame 21, second frame 27 and base plate 28.

Oval holes 51 as oblong holes are formed in approximately centers offrame members 27 a and 28 b at a position closer to shaft 29 than abarycentric position of image forming unit 46. Inserted into oval holes51 is post 36 as an axis body formed approximately center of framemembers 21 a and 21 b. To this end, fitting section br1 is formed atapproximately center of frame members 21 a and 21 b in an upright mannerand post 36 is formed on an upper end of fitting section br1. As aresult, first frame 21 is supported loosely, with post 36 being as thecenter of oscillation with regard to second frame 27 and in a movablemanner toward a side of side plate 14 or a side of side plate 15 inassociation with the movement of post 36 in oval holes 51. Oval holes 51take roll of limiters for limiting the movement of post 36.

Next, required steps to recover the paper jamming condition when itoccurs are explained hereinbelow.

Firstly, while printing onto the print medium, the moving mechanism isheld in the first status as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6, namely, firstframe 21 is in a horizontal position while second frame 27 is declined.At the same time, post 36 positions at a front side of the printerwithin oval holes 51. Both ends of frame members 21 a and 21 b areengaged with first and second engaging sections m1 and m2, respectively,and under which condition, each photosensitive drum of each of imageforming sections 12Bk, 12Y, 12M and 12C is brought into contact withtransfer unit 17.

Side plates 14 and 15 are formed with guiding surfaces 14 a and 15 a forguiding first frame 21 in such a manner in parallel with and opposing tosuspended portions 21 e and 21 f in order to form small clearancesbetween suspended portion 21 e and guiding surface 14 a and betweensuspended portion 21 f and guiding surface 15 a, respectively.

If, for example, the print media are conveyed sticking together due toelectrostatic, namely if a multi-feed occurs, the print media willremain on transfer unit 17 to cause the paper-jamming. In such case, apaper-jamming detection mechanism, not shown, will send a paper-jammingdetection signal to a controlling section, not shown, upon detection ofthe occurrence of the paper-jamming. Printing operation halting means ofthe controlling section performs a printing operation halting processingand actually halts the printing operation upon reception of thepaper-jamming detection signal, resulting in stopping the printer.

At the time, if the user picks up handle 27 h attempting to recover thepaper-jamming condition, second frame 27, as shown in FIG. 5, is rotatedin an arrow A direction.

In view of the above, first frame 21 is apt to rotate in the arrow Adirection in association with second frame 27; however, the first framewill be limited for its rotation by guiding surfaces 14 a and 15 a andwill be guided to move in the up and down direction. Therefore, firstframe 21 together with image forming unit 46 is sandwiched between sideplates 14 and 15, guided by guiding surfaces 14 a and 15 a, therebybeing forced to move upwardly, namely in an arrow B direction, under acondition keeping the horizontal position of the first frame.

When a side of frame member 27 c becomes higher in position than a sideof shaft 29 in second frame 27, first frame 21 moves toward the side ofshaft 29 due to a load of its own and a load of image forming unit 46,such that post 36 is to be positioned in oval holes 51 at the rear sideof the printer.

When a lower end of suspended portion 21 e is disengaged from upper ends14 c and 14 d of guiding surfaces 14 a and 15 a, a lower end ofsuspended portion 21 f is disengaged from the upper end of guidingsurface 15 a and the moving mechanism is thereby placed in the secondstatus as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, first frame 21 is released from thelimitation of the rotation by guiding surfaces 14 a and 15 a to beforced to rotate in an arrow C direction as shown in FIG. 9, with post36 being as a rotation axis.

Then, when rear ends 21 g of frame members 21 c and 21 d contactlimiters 27 d formed at positions corresponding to rear ends 21 g in thevicinity of the rear end of frame member 27 a, first frame 21 isinhibited from its rotation.

If the user further picks up handle 27 h, second frame 27, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, is forced to further rotate in the arrow A direction inassociation with first frame 21, resulting in that the moving mechanismis placed in the third status.

Here, a clearance is formed below image forming unit 46 which enablesthe user to insert his hands without removing first frame 21 fromapparatus body 11, and thus the print medium P causing the paper-jammingcan be removed from conveyer belt 20 with ease. Consequently, operationsto recover the paper-jamming condition can be simplified.

Image forming unit 46 is rotatable in a direction vertical to aconveying direction of the print medium P, namely on a plane surfacevertical to the conveying direction of the print medium, such that anangle capable of removing the print medium P can be secured constantregardless of a position where the print medium P stays, as shown inFIG. 12.

Then, a depression of handle 27 h by the user places the movingmechanism is placed in the first status from the third status throughthe second status. Upon transfer from the second position to the firstposition, first frame 21 is sandwiched between side plates 14 and 15together with image forming unit 46, guided by guiding surfaces 14 a and15 a, and forced to move downwardly in a state keeping the horizontalposition.

Movement of each mechanical section as stated above in accordance withthe present embodiment is summarized hereinbelow. FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20Care perspective views illustrating images of the movements of themechanical sections one by one according to the present embodiment. Now,assuming that the paper jamming occurs, each of the movements of themechanical sections is seen in FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C in this order.Illustrated by dotted lines are reference positions.

Movement from FIG. 20A to FIG. 20B:

20A is a perspective view illustrating a normal condition of themechanical sections. When the user picks up handles 27 h of frame 27,not shown here, upon occurrence of the paper-jamming, frame 27 is forcedto rotate in an arrow K1 direction around supporting section 29. On theother hand, frame 21 moves vertically upward in an arrow K2 directionaccording to the guidance of vertical guiding surfaces, not shown, sinceframe 21 engages frame 27 through post 36. Image forming unit 46, notshown but being supported by frame 21, moves vertically upward togetherwith frame 21. As moving vertically upward, frame 21 passes through theuppermost ends of the guiding surfaces, rotation limited by the guidingsurfaces is released, post 36 within oval holes 51 is positioned at therear side of the printer to be a status as shown in FIG. 20B. Here,frame 21 rotates around supporting section 29 while the status changesfrom FIG. 20A to FIG. 20B, whereas frame 27 and the image formingsection move upward along the vertical guiding surfaces.

Movement from FIG. 20B to FIG. 20C:

FIG. 20B is a side view illustrating a status in which frame 21 isreleased from the limitation of the rotation by the guiding surfaces. Inthe status as shown in FIG. 20B, since frame 21 is released from thelimitation of the rotation by the guiding surfaces and a center of theimage forming unit resides rather left side of post 36, frame 21 rotatesin the arrow K3 direction around post 36 as a rotation axis. When theuser further picks up frame 27 in this status, the end of frame 21contacts limiter 27 d of frame 27 to be in a status as shown in FIG.20C, and therefore the image forming section and frame 21 came to beintegral with each other for a rotation. Frame 21, frame 27 and theimage forming section are forced to rotate in an arrow N4 directionaround supporting section 29, resulting in stopping at a limiterposition, not shown. In the above stopped status, the user can removethe printing medium jammed in the apparatus.

Movement from FIG. 20C or later:

Since the end of frame 21 contacts limiter 27 d of frame 27 in a statusas shown in FIG. 20C, if the user continue to pick up frame 27 furtherfrom the status in FIG. 20C, frame 21, frame 27 and the image formingsection are forced to rotate in an arrow K4 direction around supportingsection 29, resulting in stopping at the limiter position not shown. Inthe above stopped status, the user can remove the print medium jammed inthe apparatus.

In the present embodiment, since an outer peripheral surface of post 36slides within an inner peripheral surface of oval holes 51 when firstframe 21 moves in up and down direction in association with the rotationof second frame 27, a friction load becomes large. To overcome thisdrawback, the second embodiment of the present invention in which themoving mechanism capable of taking the above first to third statusessmoothly is explained hereinbelow. Components having the same structureas already explained in the first embodiment are omitted for theirexplanation here but are assigned with the same numerals or symbols.Also, the advantageous results resulting from the components in thepresent embodiment having the same structure as those in the firstembodiment will be referred to those as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the first status of themoving mechanism according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the first status of themoving mechanism according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 15 is an enlarged view illustrating the first status ofthe moving mechanism according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the second status of themoving mechanism according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the second statusof the moving mechanism according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention; FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating the secondstatus of the moving mechanism according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention; and FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the thirdstatus of the moving mechanism according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the illustrated, 45 denotes a post as a first axis formedapproximately at the center of frame members 21 a and 21 b. Post 45 isso formed to project from both surfaces of frame members 21 a, 21 b bypredetermined amounts of projection. 47 denotes a post as a second axisformed at a position closer to shaft 29 than a barycentric position ofimage forming unit 46. Post 47 is so formed as to project from bothsides of frame members 27 a, 27 b by predetermined amounts of theprojection.

44 denotes a link as a connection member having bent portion at a centerof the link and first and a second arm sections am1 and am2 which extendfrom bent portion x toward both ends thereof to finally form a dog-legshape. Link 44 is disposed such that a valley side of bent portion xfaces to side plate 14 and a mountain side of bent portion x faces toside plate 15 and is supported at the both ends by posts 45, 47 loosely.First and second arm sections am1 and am2 of channel shape hold framemembers 21 a, 21 b at first arm section am1 and frame members 27 a, 27 bat second arm section am2, respectively, from both sides in a clippingmanner.

Operation of the printer having the above stated configuration at thetime of occurring the paper-jamming is explained hereinbelow.

When the user picks up handles 27 h in order to recover thepaper-jamming condition in the first status of the moving mechanism,second frame 27 as shown in FIG. 15 is rotated in the arrow A direction,with the holes of supporting sections 28 a (FIG. 1), 28 b, 28 c, 28 dand 28 e being as the rotation axes.

Following the above rotation, first frame 21 is apt to rotate in thearrow A direction in association with second frame 27; however suchrotation is limited by guiding surfaces 14 a (FIG. 6) and 15 a.Therefore, first frame 21 is sandwiched between side plates 14 and 15together with image forming unit 46, guided by guiding surfaces 14 a, 15a, and moved in the arrow B direction in the status where the firstframe is held in the vertical position.

Subsequently, if a height of the side of frame member 27 c of secondframe 27 becomes larger than that of the side of shaft 29, the lower endof suspended portion 21 e is detached from the upper end of guidingsurface 14 a, the lower end of suspended portion 21 f is detached fromthe upper end of guiding surface 15 a, and the moving mechanism isplaced to the second status as shown in FIG. 16, first frame 21 will bereleased from the limitation of the rotation by guiding surfaces 14 a,15 a, resulting in allowing first frame 21 to rotate in the arrow Cdirection around post 45 as the rotation axis.

When rear ends 21 g of frame members 21 c, 21 d contact limiters 27 d,first frame 21 is prevented from its rotation. Here, each of links 44rotates in an arrow E direction as shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, with imageforming unit 46 being as the rotation axis. When stop projections 44 aformed to project toward side plate 15 at bent portion x contact blockprojections 42 b formed at positions corresponding to those of the stopprojections of frame 27 a, the rotation of each link 44 stops.

When the user further picks up handles 27 h, second frame 27 as shown inFIG. 19 further rotates in the arrow A direction together with firstframe 21 to place the moving mechanism in the third status.

When the user depresses handles 27 h, the moving mechanism changes ofits status from the third status through the second status to the firststatus. Upon changing the status from the second status to the firststatus, first frame 21 together with image forming unit 46 aresandwiched between side plates 14 and 15, followed by the guidance byguiding surfaces 14 a, 15 a and the downward movement in keeping thehorizontal position of the first frame.

Summarized are operational conditions of the above stated mechanicalsections according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C and21D are views illustrating images of the operations of the mechanicalsections according to the present embodiment. Hereinbelow, assuming thatthe paper-jamming occurs, operational conditions of the mechanicalsections are explained referring to FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C and 21D in thisorder. Shown in dotted lines are reference positions.

Movement from FIG. 21A to FIG. 21B:

FIG. 21A is a perspective view illustrating a normal condition of themoving mechanism. Upon occurrence of the paper-jamming and the user'ssequential picking up of handles 27 h, not shown, frame 27 rotates inthe arrow N1 direction around supporting section 29. On the other hand,frame 21, as it engages frame 27 through link 44, is guided by verticalguiding surfaces, not shown, to move vertically upward in an arrow N2direction. Being supported by frame 21, image forming unit 46, notshown, also moves vertically upward together with frame 21. As movingupward, frame 21 passes through the uppermost ends of the guidingsurfaces and thus is released from the limitation of the rotation by theguiding surfaces, resulting in being placed in the status as shown inFIG. 21B. Here, in the statuses as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, frame 21rotates around supporting section 29, whereas frame 27 and the imageforming section move upward along the vertical guiding surfaces.

Movement from FIG. 21B to FIG. 21C:

FIG. 21B is a side view illustrating a status in which frame 21 isreleased from the limitation of the rotation by the guiding surfaces. InFIG. 21B, frame 21 rotates in the arrow N3 direction around post 45 asthe rotation axis since frame 21 is released from the limitation of therotation by the guiding surfaces and the barycentric position of theimage forming section resides left side of post 45. When the user picksup frame 27 continuously further from the above mentioned status, theend of frame 21 contacts limiter 27 d, resulting in being a status asshown in FIG. 21C to allow the image forming section and frame 21 torotate in one piece.

Movement from FIG. 21C to FIG. 21D:

In a status as shown in FIG. 21C, since the end of frame 21 contactslimiter 27 d, the bent portion of link 44 is brought into contact withcontact portions 42 b to be placed in a status as shown in FIG. 21D whenthe user continuously picks up frame 27 from the status as shown in FIG.21C.

Movement from FIG. 21D or later:

Since the end of frame 21, in a status as shown in FIG. 21D, contactslimiter 27 d of frame 27, and the bent portion of link 44 contactscontact portion 42 b of frame 21, frame 21, frame 27 and the imageforming section are allowed to rotate in one piece. When the userfurther picks up frame 27 from the status as shown in FIG. 21D, frame21, frame 27 and the image forming section rotate in the arrow N4direction around supporting section 29, resulting in stopping at theposition of limiter, not shown here. In the stopped status as describedabove, the user removes the print medium jammed in the apparatus.

In the present embodiment as stated above, first frame 21 and secondframe 27 are connected through links 44, with the links being disposedin an independently loose-fit manner with respect to the first and thesecond frames 21, 27, and therefore the friction load at the time thatfirst frame 21 moves vertically in association with the rotation ofsecond frame 27 can be minimized.

Consequently, the moving mechanism can be smoothly placed in the firstto third statuses.

The image forming section according to the present invention includesthe photosensitive drums as the image carriers, the charging roller asthe charging section, the development roller as the development section,a cleaning blade as the cleaning device. However, the image formingsection of the present invention is not limited to the one as statedabove, but may be the one which includes at least one of the imagecarrier, the charging section, the development section or the cleaningsection.

According to the present invention, frame 21 is vertically guided byguiding surfaces; however, can be guided in an oblique direction withoutbeing limited to the vertical guidance.

According to the present invention, the color printer has beenexemplified as the image forming apparatus; however, monochrome printeris also applicable here. As for the image forming apparatus, not onlyprinter but, as a matter of course, copying machine, facsimile machine,MFP or the like can be utilized.

As described above, it is obvious that this invention can be arbitrarilymodified without departing from the scope of this invention.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principlesof the invention and their practical application to enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodimentsand various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention should notbe limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forthbelow.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An image recording apparatus comprising: an image formingsection; a first holding member for holding said image forming section,the first holding member including a first post; a second holding memberfor swingably holding said first holding member, the second holdingmember including a second post; a connecting member for connecting thefirst holding member and the second holding member, the connectingmember including a first arm rotatably coupled to the first post, asecond arm rotatably coupled to the second post, and a stop projection;and a supporting section disposed on an apparatus body for supportingsaid second holding member in a rotatable manner, wherein said firstholding member moves in association with a rotation of said secondholding member, wherein said first holding member moves in a rotationaldirection with respect to the supporting section after moving in asubstantially straight direction with respect to the supporting section,and wherein during movement of the first holding member in asubstantially straight direction, the connecting member rotates withrespect to the first and second holding members, and during movement ofthe first holding member in a rotational direction, the stop projectionof the connecting member abuts a portion of the second holding member toprevent rotation of the connecting member with respect to the first andsecond holding members.
 2. The image recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the first and second arms extend from a bent portion ofthe connecting member.
 3. The image recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said supporting section supports the second holdingmember in the rotatable manner in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to a conveying direction of a print medium.
 4. The imagerecording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a coversupported rotationally in the conveying direction of said print medium.5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein saidimage forming section comprises at least one of an image carrier, acharging section, a development section or a cleaning section.
 6. Theimage recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said imageforming section comprises at least one of an image carrier, a chargingsection, a development section or a cleaning section.
 7. The imagerecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting memberis swingably supported with respect to the first and the second holdingmembers.
 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, whereinsaid image forming section comprises at least one of an image carrier, acharging section, a development section or a cleaning section.
 9. Theimage recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the movement ofsaid first holding member is caused by said second holding member viathe connecting member.
 10. The image recording apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a guiding surface section for guiding thefirst holding member to move in the substantially straight direction.11. The image recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein saidimage forming section comprises at least one of an image carrier, acharging section, a development section or a cleaning section.
 12. Theimage recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said imageforming section comprises at least one of an image carrier, a chargingsection, a development section or a cleaning section.
 13. The imagerecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substantiallystraight direction is a substantially vertical direction.
 14. An imageforming apparatus comprising the image recording apparatus according toclaim
 1. 15. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid second holding member swingably and slidably holds said firstholding member.